Holden rodeo towing capacity

WillV

Hello,
I have posted this thread in caravanners and rodeo forum but am not able to get an answer also spoke to holden dealer who know where I am coming from but cannot answer.
I have a query regarding the towing capacity of my 10/04 plated RA model diesel rodeo.
The towing capacity is rated at 2000kg which is fine but the owners handbook has a GCM of 3750kg. When I purchased the car which was in 2005 I was given a brochure which is dated January 2005 which shows a GCM of 4900kg. I have spoken to holden customer service (who are non technical) who looked up the owners handbook and inform me that the owners handbook was not revised until November 2005 to reflect the revised GCM. What they could not tell me was the legality of exceeding 3750kg GCM or even what was changed in the vehicle if anything to allow such a massive revision of the GCM. I have spoken to a retired Holden engineer who is of the opinion that the GCM was revised in answer to competition with other makes and not due to mechanical changes to the vehicle between 04 and 05. I am close to the 3750 GCM limit with a new van purchase and do not want to have to watch every kilo I am loading in vehicle and van so as not to exceed it.
Hayman Reese and holden both sell a 2500kg hitch for the rodeo and hayman reese tell me that holden revised the towing capacity across the range retrospectively but to go to holden for the revision. The dealer says I know where you are coming from but go back to holden customer assistance as we do not know.
Thanks.

replied:
Will I believe this happened to the LC Troopys around the same time the Landrover Discovery first came out with their 3500ish kg braked towing capacity.

One year the LC was about 2500ish kg and the next it was 3500ish kg to be competitive with the LR. There was no engineering changes and yet Toyota dont want to know about the enquires the Auto Heavy lecturer has made as to why he cant chage the towing limit of his vehicle.

The are next to no-one willing to change and sign off on the mod to increase the towing limit so he is forced with selling his Troopy and buying another a few years younger to solve his dilema of towing the caravan he wants.

(the figures are from memory and I know they are not exact....so not interested in arguing the finer points)

Sorry this doesnt help your situation but just highlighting its no uncommon for a manufacturer to change a towing limit when there has been no changes in the vehicle itself.

replied:
Well after a bit of stuffing around I have obtained a letter from GMH stating that the handbook is wrong and the GCM is 4900Kg so I should be covered with the new van and a reasonable vehicle load.
Thanks to all for follow ups.